Republican aims to ‘close’ controversial immigration ‘side door’

A new piece of legislation is making waves in the realm of immigration policy in the United States. The “Preventing the Abuse of Immigration Parole Act” aims to put a limit on the number of immigration parolees allowed into the country each year. Sponsored by North Carolina Republican Rep. Addison McDowell, the bill would cap parole admissions at 3,000 individuals annually starting in fiscal year 2029.

The key focus of the bill is to establish strict guidelines for the granting of immigration parole, emphasizing a case-by-case approach. In addition, individuals from countries of concern such as Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Syria, and Russia would not be eligible for parole unless special permission is granted by the Department of State.

McDowell has been vocal in his criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of parole admissions, accusing them of abusing the system for political gain. The bill was inspired by findings from the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee, Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations & Accountability, which revealed that 2.8 million individuals were granted parole during the Biden administration, under the leadership of former DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

The bill text states that the systemic abuse of parole for individuals outside the United States poses a threat to national security and must be addressed. This includes the roughly half a million individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who were admitted under a parole program that the Trump administration seeks to end.

The Supreme Court recently issued a stay that could pave the way for the end of the CHNV parole program, allowing the Department of Homeland Security to deport individuals while the legal battle continues. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin hailed the decision as a victory, accusing the Biden administration of misleading the public about the program and its consequences.

As the reconciliation bill, which includes additional funding for immigration enforcement, makes its way through Congress, the Preventing the Abuse of Immigration Parole Act is poised to make a significant impact on the country’s immigration policies. With the support of lawmakers like Rep. McDowell, the bill could bring about much-needed reform and oversight to the parole system.